logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
55m 20s

To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit ...

Practicing the Way
About this episode

Why should you fast? In modern society, fasting as a spiritual practice is almost unheard of, even among Christians. So why does Jesus assume that his followers will fast? (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:15-16). In this teaching, John Mark discusses the what and the why behind fasting. First, he shows that fasting helps us break free from "slavery" to food, feeds our flesh and starves the spirit, and allows us to "pray" with our bodies. Then he outlines what fasting is and what it isn't and what that means for us as we press into this practice from the way of Jesus.


Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 2:4-7; Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 4:1-4; John 4:7-30; Matthew 6:16-18; Galatians 5:13-25


You can find various resources for this practice here: practicingtheway.org/practices/fasting


Visit practicingtheway.org for more information and resources for you, your church, or your small group.


Facebook, YouTube: Practicing the Way

Instagram: @practicingtheway

Twitter: @practheway 

Up next
Today
Community as Confrontation (ft. Alex Rettman) | Practicing the Way Vision Series E9
When we live in community, conflict is inevitable. But how do we handle conflict well? Alex Rettman—former Bridgetown pastor and now Lead Pastor of Saints' Hill Church in Newberg, OR—explores how conflict—when done in love—can be one of the primary ways we move from disillusionme ... Show More
48m 29s
Aug 18
Community as Family (ft. Bethany Allen) | Practicing the Way Vision Series E8
What does it really mean for a church to be a family? Bethany Allen unpacks a powerful vision of community not as an optional add-on to the Christian life, but as the very environment where transformation takes place. Bethany explores why community is both beautiful and broken, a ... Show More
53m 30s
Aug 11
How We Change: Community | Practicing the Way Vision Series E7 (Re-release)
Can we follow Jesus alone? John Mark explores the essential—but often overlooked—role of community in spiritual formation. Drawing from the life of Jesus and the early church, he shows how transformation doesn’t happen in isolation but in the messy, beautiful tension between the ... Show More
44m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Make It Personal: Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting. You've heard about it and you've read about it in the Bible dozens of times, but how do we apply it practically in our lives? Find out how physically fasting allows us to listen better spiritually. (00:00) Fasting and Prayer in Christianity(13:31) The Purpose ... Show More
18m 29s
May 2024
why do christians fast
Hey y’all ! Welcome to another Friday with CWCOI ! In this week’s episode our host, Ally Yost, shares more about what the Bible says about fasting and why we are encouraged to fast. The purpose of fasting is so we can take our focus off the things of this world so that we are the ... Show More
41 m
Dec 2023
Even if the Fasting is Over, Let the Piety Remain - St. John Chrysostom
Many Orthodox Christians have had to learn the hard way how to prepare not only to fast, but to feast. A feasting period, like we begin on Pascha and Christmas, requires us to remain watchful and sober if we are to preserve the grace we gained during the fast and avoid falling ba ... Show More
26m 15s
Feb 2024
Fasting On Wednesday & Friday - St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite
Drawing upon the witness of Christ and many saints, St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite sets forth the standard (akrevia) for the Orthodox Church's weekly fasts on Wednesday and Friday. Even if the ideal is beyond our abilities or beyond what our spiritual father has blessed, we must ... Show More
7m 11s
Aug 2022
How To Feast On Fasting | Functional Friday
The title “How To Feast On Fasting” is meant to help us change our paradigm. Look, I adore food and eating. I’m generally always looking toward my next meal. I enjoy it so much I won’t waste the effort or calories on just any food. I want quality food and excellent tastes. I also ... Show More
1h 7m
Jun 2023
Reasons You Don't Know How To Feast
In today's episode, Sam and John discuss how our lives are marked by affluence, abundance, excess, and convenience and how this presents a very unique challenge to fasting, but even more so, a challenge to feasting. In one sense, feasting has a higher place in the Church than fas ... Show More
39m 50s
Aug 2020
Health & Holiness: Nifty Ways to Leave Your Blubber
Our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, which means that we are called to take care of them. Today, Jeff shares his approach to healthy eating and explains his most recent diet plan that brought him closer to the Lord in a surprising way. Please note that this episode ... Show More
35m 24s
Oct 2023
The Eucharist and My Imperfection
Does the Eucharist feel approachable? Do you believe that the Eucharist is personal? Sometimes, it can seem unclear how we are meant to interact and approach the Eucharist. How “put together” do I need to be in order to participate in Communion? Fr. Josh Johnson takes on these qu ... Show More
21m 13s
Nov 2022
Why Can Only Priests Consecrate the Eucharist?
To support Ascension’s free media, please click here! To find out more about how your gift will be used, please click here! Why is it that only priests are able to consecrate the Eucharist in the Mass? In this episode, Fr. Josh explains the Scriptural teachings as well as the tea ... Show More
15m 40s
May 2024
Fruits of the Spirit, Works of the Flesh
Friends, we come to the Feast of Pentecost, the great celebration of the Holy Spirit. I want to focus on our second reading from the fifth chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, which I’ve used for years in spiritual direction. What you find there are what Paul calls “the ... Show More
15m 42s